Capital Humano confirmed that the so-called UNAFA is a non-existent institution before the State and demanded that AFA cease advertising its alleged degree programs
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The controversy surrounding the failed "AFA University" escalated abruptly after the national government confirmed that the project presented by Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia lacks any legal authorization. In a context of increasing scrutiny over the leadership of Argentine soccer, AFA's attempt to promote a nonexistent institution ended up generating strong institutional and public rejection, starting with the warning from academic Alejandro "Profe" Álvarez, who categorically denounced the irregularity.
From his account on X, Álvarez was blunt: "AFA, like any institution, must comply with the law. There is no procedure to create the 'AFA university' or 'UNAFA' in the Undersecretariat of University Policies, it is a total irresponsibility that they are promoting something completely illegal!" His criticism set the tone for what would later become the government's formal response.
El Profe Alvarez en X:
Hours later, the Minister of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello, released an official statement in which it was warned that the so-called University of the Argentine Football Association, presented on November 4 by the entity on Viamonte Street, is not legally authorized. According to the ministry, AFA was ordered to immediately suspend the promotion of the "alleged" educational institution.
The initiative had been presented by Tapia as "a historic announcement". At that event, the president of AFA stated: "We seek to ensure that education comes before sports... Education is a right... Argentines must understand that it is the main foundation for forming people with values." At his side, the appointed rector Alberto Barbieri assured: "AFA is the representation of what soccer means for all Argentines... It will be a source of pride for the community in the coming years." However, none of those rhetorical displays had legal standing.
Comunicado Oficial.
The ministerial statement was categorical: UNAFA doesn't have official recognition, ministerial authorization, or any accreditation. Human Capital reported that the Undersecretariat of University Policies verified that AFA was advertising undergraduate and graduate programs on social networks, media outlets, and a recently created website, all without legal basis.
It was recalled that the current regulations —including Ministerial Resolutions 206/1997 and 4600-E/2017, and articles 39 and 68 of the Higher Education Law— are explicit: the term "University" and its derivatives may only be used by institutions created and authorized by the National State. AFA was directly violating that prohibition.
Comunicado Oficial.
The order sent to the entity, signed by the national director of University Management, Matías Zubiría Mansilla, detailed that promotions of UNAFA on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn were detected, as well as a website with academic offerings and enrollment for 2026. There, a master's degree in Sports Entity Management was even offered, presented as a graduate program. The document described these actions as advertising for a "nonexistent university."
The warning was clear: "Only institutions legally authorized to operate as universities may qualify as university or graduate the educational offerings they advertise, or the diplomas, certificates, or degrees they issue or promise to issue."
UNAFA.
This episode worsens the public situation of the president of AFA, who has been accumulating criticism in recent weeks. After the decision to award a title to Rosario Central for being the team with the most points in the annual standings, Tapia received a strong symbolic rejection: Estudiantes turned their backs on him on the field, a gesture that had wide resonance on social networks.
In addition, the judiciary began to investigate his connection with Sur Finanzas in the context of an alleged money laundering scheme. With these open fronts, the failed attempt to launch a "university" without legal recognition further deepens the erosion of his image.
